Tape dispenser and take-up reel for tape backing

Abstract

This invention generally relates to a tape dispenser with automatic backing removal more particularly including a spindle rotatably mounted for receiving said supply of tape; a pinch roller set in tension having an adjustment to set the drag for the tape supply passing through the pinch rollers that convert a pull of the tape to a rotary motion; a take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing layer when separated from the tape; a set of drag washers to maintain an pre-set tension as the protective backing is spooled onto the take up spindle; a first gear responsive to the rotary motion of the pinch roller set and a second gear responsive to the motion of the first gear and axially attached to the take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dispensing apparatus for tape having a protective backing layer thereon comprises: a lower pinch roller having a pre-set rolling drag adjusted by one or more coaxial drag washers; and an upper pinch roller having one or more springs to set the nip force between the upper and lower pinch rollers, wherein when the tape interengages the nip of the pinched rollers, the lower pinch roller converts a linear motion of the tape to a rotary motion that turns a take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing layer; said rolling drag adjusted by one or more coaxial drag washers to maintain a preset rolling drag while the protective backing spools onto the take-up spindle. 
     
     
       2. The dispensing apparatus for tape having a protective backing layer in  claim 1 , further including a first gear responsive to the rotary motion of the pinch roller set and a second gear responsive to the motion of the first gear and axially attached to the take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing. 
     
     
       3. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 2 , wherein a turns ratio between the first gear and the second gear is in the range of 1:1.05 or 1:2.0. 
     
     
       4. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 1  includes a tape cut-off device having one or more teeth. 
     
     
       5. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 1  includes a cut-off blade attached to a lever-action member. 
     
     
       6. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 1  includes adjustment knob to set the drag on the pinch roller set. 
     
     
       7. A dispensing apparatus for tape having a protective backing layer thereon comprises: a tape supply spindle rotatably mounted for receiving a roll of tape; a take-up spindle, which includes one or more drag washers, for spooling the protective backing, wherein pulling the tape separates the protective backing from the tape, which interengages a pinch roller set having a first gear affixed to an axle of a first roller that rotates a second gear affixed to the take-up spindle and a bail to release the pinched roller set, said first and second gear in a ratio within a range of 1:05 to 1:2.0, respectively. 
     
     
       8. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more drag washers are made from carbon. 
     
     
       9. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 7 , wherein a lower pinch roller includes one or more drag washers. 
     
     
       10. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 7 , wherein an upper pinch roller includes one or more springs to set the tension on the pinch roller set. 
     
     
       11. The dispensing apparatus for tape in  claim 10 , wherein a bail lever releases the upper pinch roller includes one or more springs to set the tension on the pinch roller set. 
     
     
       12. A method for dispensing tape with protective backing, comprising the steps of: inserting a roll of tape into housing having tape supply spindle for rotatably receiving said roll of tape; separating a portion of the tape from the protective backing; threading said tape portion into a pinched roller set having two rotating members; threading said separated protective backing portion onto a rotatable take-up spindle; setting a drag on the take-up roller; setting a drag on the lower pinch roller; setting a nip tension on the pinched roller set; rotating the pinched roller set in response to pulling said tape through the pinched roller set; winding said protective tape backing on the rotatable take-up spindle in response to one member of the rotating pinched roller set; further comprising the step of applying a pulling force to a bail to release a pinched roller set having two rotating members. 
     
     
       13. The method for dispensing tape with protective backing in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of applying a pulling force to the roll of tape wherein the rotatable take-up spindle rotates, winding the backing tape into a cylindrical roll.